books.google.ca - A visually stunning cultural history of the beloved hockey star who came to symbolize a nation.The fiery Maurice Richard was the highestscoring NHL player of his era, the first to achieve the feat of fifty goals in fifty games. Les yeux de Maurice Richard, as it was first published in 2006 in Quebec,...http://books.google.ca/books/about/The_Rocket.html?id=J0QwOEVsDsAC&utm_source=gb-gplus-shareThe Rocket

The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard

A visually stunning cultural history of the beloved hockey star who came to symbolize a nation.

The fiery Maurice Richard was the highestscoring NHL player of his era, the first to achieve the feat of fifty goals in fifty games. Les yeux de Maurice Richard, as it was first published in 2006 in Quebec, won the Prix Marcel Couture 2007 from the Salon du livre de MontrÈal. Translated here by the award-winning Fred A. Reed, The Rocket revisits highlights of the esteemed Number 9's greatest feats and most memorable moments, including his 1955 suspension for hitting a referee and the famous street riot that followed. The author goes well beyond the man to fully explore the myth that remains today.

From Bob Hill's song "Saga of Maurice Richard" to Roch Carrier's The Hockey Sweater and Al Purdy's "Homage to Reeshard," cultural historian Benoit Melancon draws on print sources, photos, and illustrations to show how sportswriters, artists, playwrights, politicians, and citizens immortalized the Rocket.

The Rocket celebrates Richard in all his glory. This book is also in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens, the Rocket's one and only team.

Review: The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard

User Review - Dan Hogan - Goodreads

Very detailed account of Maurice Richard's influence on Quebec culture. Minimal hockey babble so it's a good read for anyone interested in the culture of La Belle Province. At times the detail can be ...Read full review

Review: The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard

User Review - Denis - Goodreads

Benoit Melancon's examination of what Maurice Richard meant to Canadians, French-Canadians, Quebecois and Montrealers reads as an extended sociological thesis. The reader walks away with an ...Read full review

About the author (2009)

Acclaimed author Martine Desjardins works as a freelance writer, translator, and journalist for ""L'actualite"" magazine.Award-winning author and translator David Homel also works as a journalist, editor, and screenwriter.Fred A. Reed is an international journalist, acclaimed author, and award-winning translator.

Roy MacGregor is the bestselling author of "Home Team: Fathers, Sons, and Hockey" (shortlisted for the Governor General's Award), "Northern Light", and "Canadians". Currently, he is a regular columnist for the "Globe & Mail". His journalism has earned him four National Magazine Awards and two National Newspaper Awards. In 2012 he became a Media Honouree Hockey Hall of Fame. He lives in Ottawa.